The Unraveling of Democracy: A Global Crisis and America’s Alarming Trajectory
The United States is no longer a democracy, according to a stark assessment from the Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) Institute at Gothenburg University. Their latest annual report reveals a concerning acceleration of “autocratisation” within the US, outpacing nations like Hungary and Turkey in the dismantling of democratic institutions.
A Historic Backslide
Staffan Lindberg, founder of the V-Dem Institute, states that the data, stretching back to 1789, shows the most severe magnitude of democratic backsliding in US history. Since 2012, the institute has become a leading source for analyzing global democratic health. The 2026 report concludes that the US has lost its long-term status as a liberal democracy for the first time in over half a century.
Speed of Democratic Erosion
The pace of this decline is particularly alarming. Lindberg points out that the suppression of democratic institutions took approximately four years under Viktor Orbán in Hungary, eight years under Aleksandar Vučić in Serbia and around ten years under Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Turkey and Narendra Modi in India. Donald Trump, however, achieved a similar level of dismantling in just one year.
US democracy has regressed to its worst level since 1965, effectively erasing all progress made since the introduction of universal suffrage through civil rights legislation.
A Global Trend of Autocratisation
The crisis isn’t isolated to the US. Globally, democracy is at its lowest levels since the mid-1970s. A record 41% of the world’s population – 3.4 billion people – now live in countries where democracy is deteriorating. The US is identified as a key driver of this global shift.
Measuring Democratic Health: The V-Dem Index
The V-Dem Institute utilizes 48 different metrics to assess democratic health, including freedom of expression, media independence, election quality, and the rule of law. The resulting “liberal democracy index” highlights a rapid concentration of power within the presidency as a primary factor in the US decline. This has led to the marginalization of Congress, jeopardizing the crucial system of checks and balances.
Executive Overreach and Legislative Abdication
During his first year in office, Donald Trump signed 225 executive orders, even as the Republican-controlled Congress passed only 49 new laws. Lindberg emphasizes that many of Trump’s executive orders were significant, involving the firing of hundreds of thousands of government employees and the shutdown of entire departments. The legislative branch, he argues, has largely abdicated its powers to the president.
Erosion of Judicial Independence
The Supreme Court has also reportedly abdicated power, and even when striking down Trump’s executive orders, he has circumvented those rulings. Over 600 judicial procedures against the Trump administration are currently ongoing.
Removing Internal Safeguards
The report also points to the removal of internal safeguards designed to prevent abuse of power within the federal government. Trump’s firing of inspector generals and the replacement of civil servants with loyalists mirrors tactics employed by leaders in Hungary and Turkey, effectively removing constraints on presidential power.
Europe’s Vulnerability
The V-Dem report isn’t solely focused on the US. It identifies seven EU member states – Hungary, Greece, Croatia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Italy, and Romania – as being affected by autocratisation, citing media censorship, restrictions on freedom of expression, and repression of civil society. Portugal and Bulgaria are on the institute’s “watchlist.” The UK is also identified as a “new autocratiser” due to declines in freedom of expression and media freedom.
A Glimmer of Hope?
Despite the grim outlook, there are potential sources of optimism. Trump’s approval rating is currently below 40%, and there is growing disappointment among his voters regarding the war in Iran and rising living costs. There is increasing criticism of Trump from within the Maga movement itself.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What is the V-Dem Institute?
- The V-Dem Institute, founded in 2014, is an independent research institute at the University of Gothenburg that conceptualizes and measures democracy using seven key principles.
- What is “autocratisation”?
- Autocratisation refers to the decline of democracy and the increasing concentration of power in the hands of a single leader or a modest group.
- How does V-Dem measure democracy?
- V-Dem uses 48 different metrics, including indicators related to freedom of expression, election quality, and the rule of law, to create a comprehensive “liberal democracy index.”
- Is democratic backsliding reversible?
- The report suggests it can be, citing examples of countries attempting to reverse course, but emphasizes that once it begins, it’s often hard to stop.
The V-Dem report serves as a critical warning about the fragility of democracy worldwide. It underscores the need for vigilance, robust institutions, and active citizen engagement to safeguard democratic values and prevent further erosion of freedoms.
Explore further: Visit the V-Dem Institute website to learn more about their research and data.
